Public Hearing Notice: 237 Pleasant St (St John's Episcopal & The Community Builders - 64 units)

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public/remote hearing on November 3, 2022 at 7:30pm via Zoom Platform. Please go to

Franklinma.gov to view meeting access under ZBA Agenda.

Time: 7:45PM

Applicant: St. John’s Episcopal Church of Franklin and The Community Builders Inc.

Address of Subject Property: 237 Pleasant Street (Map 267, Lot 009)

Zoning District: SFR III

Petition Type: Comprehensive Permit

Zoning By-Law Sections: N/A

Reason for Denial: Applicant is seeking a building permit to construct a 64 unit multi-family development. The building permit is denied without a Comprehensive Permit from the ZBA. 

An Appeal from the decision of the Board of Appeals may be made by any person aggrieved pursuant to MGL Chap. 40A, Section 17 as amended, within twenty (20) days after the date of the filing of the notice of decision with the City Clerk. All records and files for this project can be viewed in the Building Department on the 1st floor of the Franklin Municipal Building during regular business hours. Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals: (508) 520-4926. Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded the opportunity to be heard. The hearing is accessible to persons with physical disabilities.

Notice shared from Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/legal_notice_237_pleasant_street.pdf

Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/zoning-board-appeals/events/339551

St John's affordable housing proposal

Economic Development Subcmte hears timeline on Franklin For All projects; reviews & forwards parking changes to Council (audio)

FM #847 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 847 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 21, 2022 in the Council Chambers.  

“Franklin For All” Steering Committee 

Chair Melanie Hamblen, Glenn Jones, Cobi Frongillo, Pat Sheridan

Greg Rondeau, Beth Wierling, and Bruce Hunchard

Quick recap:

Franklin For All portion

• Full steering committee reviewed the priority listing and time line developed by Planning and Community Development Dept after the steering committee had set the priorities for the Franklin For All recommendations during their August meeting

• Much of the discussion was around clarification on what was included, what was not, and why

Parking bylaw proposal portion of meeting

• Just the Council members remainder on the dias for the longer section of the meeting around the parking proposals (B Wierling did move to the audience and ended upon commenting on the proposal as a resident)

• There was much discussion and input from community and business members on aspects of the proposal

• The subcommittee voted to move the recommendations forward to the Council with a variety of votes. At first they attempted to move all forward, by a 4-0 vote. When they were advised it was complete, a more refined set of votes on aspects of the proposals results in 3-1 votes (Hamblen, Frongillo, Sheridan for; Jones against). Another motion for an amendment (for residential parking) by Sheridan did not get a second so it died there. One of the proposed amendments (from Frongillo) was to expand the role of the Town Administrator to set more than just the rates. This was objected to (by Jones) and the resulting discussion did not result in a vote

• The proposals will come before the Council at one of the October meetings

The recording of the meeting runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-847-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-09-21-22

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Meeting agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/09-21-22_edc_agenda.pdf 

Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://youtu.be/0juF7Nd2ngk 

My notes taken via Twitter and captured in one PDF can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V880A9wPIyLuq-GjD9f6AJ0mYbGIzwrs/view?usp=sharing

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Economic Development Subcmte hears timeline on Franklin For All projects; reviews & forwards parking changes to Council (audio)

What is 40b? Why is Town of Franklin proposing a "Friendly 40b" Process?

From Mass Housing - https://www.masshousing.com/programs-outreach/planning-programs/40b 

Chapter 40B, the Commonwealth's regional planning law, promotes responsible housing growth by creating a streamlined permitting process for eligible projects that utilize subsidized financing, and that meaningfully accommodate lower-income residents.

Since its passage in 1969, Chapter 40B has supported almost all affordable housing construction in Massachusetts outside of the Commonwealth's largest cities. Approximately 70,000 total units have been produced under Chapter 40B, of which over 35,000 units are restricted to households making less than 80% of the area median income (AMI).

Chapter 40B promotes regional planning solutions and new housing consistent with local and regional planning needs. The law balances the regional need for affordable housing development with local public health, public safety, design, and environmental welfare needs.

The statute allows eligible affordable housing developments to receive a comprehensive permit, even when projects require waivers of local zoning. In cities and towns that achieve certain affordable housing production goals, zoning boards of appeal may reject 40B proposals without facing an appeal from the developer, giving those communities great discretion over 40B development. Municipalities that have not achieved minimum affordable housing production thresholds have a more limited ability to reject 40B proposals.

The Town of Franklin is currently over the 10% minimum affordable housing and wants to stay that way, hence they are proposing a “friendly 40b’ process to help foster affordable housing growth. 

The Friendly 40b proposal can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/friendly_chapter_40b_process.docx.pdf 

Franklin’s Housing Production Plan https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_final_with_approval_ltr.pdf 

Franklin’s Master Plan update in 2020 (overall plan is due for revision in 2023)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/masterplan_update_materials.pdf 

What is 40b? Why is Town of Franklin proposing a "Friendly 40b" Process?

Economic Development Subcommittee "Plus" Mtg - 01/05/22 (audio)

FM #692 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 692 in the series. 

This shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting that was held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

The meeting was started in a hybrid mode; all four committee members were participating with the MAPC representatives participating via the Zoom connection. Some public participants and the Town Administration staff were in person. Other public participants were able to via the Zoom conference bridge. 

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes.  This recording misses approx. the first 15 minutes and runs about 47 minutes. 

Let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting for Jan 5, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-692-economic-development-subcommittee-plus-mtg-01-05-22

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Meeting agenda 

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-5-22_edc_agenda.pdf

 

Presentation document shared during the meeting

(not yet available) https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Frankling-for-All-Steering-Committee-Meeting-1-Presentation.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-economic-development-subcommittee.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Emma Battalgia, Senior Housing and Land Use Planner from MAPC

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - Jan 5, 2022

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 5, 2022 - 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda:
1. EDC + Steering Committee: Franklin For All

a. Presentation and Discussion from MAPC about the “Franklin For All” zoning reform project for Downtown Commercial zoning district and C-1 zoning district (Franklin Crossing).

Agenda document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-5-22_edc_agenda.pdf

 

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - Jan 5, 2022

FM #343 Town Council - Building Dept Update - 9/02/20 (audio)

FM #343 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 343 in the series. 

This session shares a key segment of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Chair Tom Mercer opened the meeting on schedule at 7:00 PM. After 

• A statement on the election results of Sep 2
• Two citizens comments
• Approval of minutes of 7/29/20 meeting
• Public hearing for lot line changes

Gus Brown, Building Commissioner, presents an update on the work his department conducts in coordination with Inspections, Zoning Board of Appeals and others. The segment includes the Council comments and questions following the presentation.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the presentation document.

This meeting segment runs just about 56 minutes, so let’s listen to the presentation and discussion on the Building Department

Audio file:  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HW4JwKLK

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Town Council agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-sep-2.html 

Building Dept presentation
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/important-meetings-today-wednesday-sep-2.html

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/town-council-recap-sep-2-2020-building.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #343 Town Council - Building Dept Update - 9/02/20 (audio)

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in DPW, Zoning Board of Appeals, Facilities, Fire Dept

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

• ON CALL SNOW SHOVELERS - Come work on an on call basis for the DPW and help us keep school and town sidewalks clean!

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/shoveler-posting.pdf
 

• Clerk 2 - Zoning Board of Appeals (Building & Inspections, Health, Planning and Conservation Offices) 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/clerk2-buildingandinspections-zba-jobposting-nov2019.pdf

• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-october252019.pdf

• Part-Time and Substitute Custodian positions - Facilities Department 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/part-time.and-substitute-custodians-oct252019.pdf

• Firefighter/Paramedics - The Town of Franklin's Fire Department is in the Massachusetts Civil Service system. 
  • If you are currently a Firefighter/Paramedic in a Civil Service community and are interested in working for Franklin, send a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. 
  • Please note: new hires must have and maintain a paramedic certification and complete an Associate's Degree within 5 years of the date they are hired.   

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here
https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities in DPW, Zoning Board of Appeals, Facilities, Fire Dept

Town of Franklin Job Opportunities with ZBA, DPW, Facilities, and Fire Dept

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

• Clerk 2 - Zoning Board of Appeals (Building and Inspections, Health, Planning and Conservation Offices) 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/clerk2-buildingandinspections-zba-jobposting-nov2019.pdf

• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-october252019.pdf

• Part-Time and Substitute Custodian positions - Facilities Department 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/part-time.and-substitute-custodians-oct252019.pdf

• Firefighter/Paramedics - The Town of Franklin's Fire Department is in the Massachusetts Civil Service system
  • If you are currently a Firefighter/Paramedic in a Civil Service community and are interested in working for Franklin, send a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. 
  • Please note: new hires must have and maintain a paramedic certification and complete an Associate's Degree within 5 years of the date they are hired.   

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here  https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe 

Town of Franklin Job Opportunities with ZBA, DPW, Facilities, and Fire Dept

Zoning Board of Appeals - Public Hearing Notices for Aug 1 meeting

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has three new public hearings scheduled for their meeting August 1, 2019. The full agenda for the meeting is not yet published.


At: 7:30 PM
Applicant: Paul D’Amelio
Address of Subject Property: 349 East Central Street(Map & Lot: 240-198-000-000)
Petition Type: Variance
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to site a propane refilling station. The use is denied without a Variance from the ZBA.

Public Hearing Notice
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/349_east_central_street_legal_ad_0.pdf

At: 7:35 PM
Applicant: Richard and Doreen Johnson
Address of Subject Property: 394 Coronation Drive(Map & Lot: 240-160-000-000)
Petition Type: Variance
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to construct a garage addition that is 36.5’ from the front setback where 40’ is required. The building permit is denied without a Variance from the ZBA

Public Hearing Notice
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/394_coronation_drive_legal_ad.pdf

At: 7:40 PM
Applicant: James Thornhill/Trooper Inc.
Address of Subject Property: 13 Brookfield Road (Map & Lot: 240-198-000-000)
Petition Type: Variance
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to construct a 16’ X 16’ addition that is 13.1’ from the left side yard setback where 25’ is required and to construct a covered porch that is 8.4’ from the right side yard setback where 25’ is required. The building permit is denied without a Variance from the ZBA.

Public Hearing Notice
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/13_brookfield_road_legal_ad.pdf

Zoning Board of Appeals - Public Hearing Notices for Aug 1 meeting

Zoning Board of Appeals - July 18, 2019 - Agenda

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has several new public hearings scheduled for their meeting on Thursday, July 18.

At: 7:30 PM

Applicant: Seven Crestwood Drive Realty Trust – Vernon Yergation Trustee Address of Subject Property: 7 Crestwood Drive (266-081-000-000) Petition Type: Special Permit

To Allow: Applicant is seeking to convert an addition into an accessory dwelling unit. The building permit is denied without a Special Permit from the ZBA.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/7_crestwood_drive_2-_legal_ad_0.pdf

At: 7:35 PM

Applicant: Lawrence Benedetto

Address of Subject Property: 122 Chestnut Street (280-077-000-000)

Petition Type: Commercial II

To Allow: Applicant is seeking to construct a multi-family structure that is 15’ from the side setback where 30’ is required. The building permit is denied without a variance from the ZBA.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/122_chestnut_street_2-_legal_ad.pdf

At: 7:40 PM

Applicant: Nicholas Palmieri

Address of Subject Property: 15 Highland Street (Map & Parcel: 268-009-000-000)

Petition Type: Variance

To Allow: Applicant is seeking to construct a farmer’s porch that is 19.2’ from the front setback where 30’ is required. The building permit is denied without a variance from the ZBA.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/15_highland_street_-_legal_ad.pdf

At: 7:45 PM

Applicant: Paul Young

Address of Subject Property: 511 East Central Street (Map & Parcel: 284-007)

Petition Type: Special Permit

To Allow:    Applicant is seeking to operate an animal training daycare, kennel and grooming facility.

 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/511_east_central_street_-_legal_ad.pdf

At: 7:50 PM

Applicant: John Alger

Address of Subject Property: 7 Bacon Street (Map & Parcel: 303-055)

Petition Type: Variance

To Allow: Applicant is seeking to construct a 2-car garage that is 20.02’ from the front setback where 40’ is required. The building permit is denied without a variance from the ZBA.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/7_bacon_street_-_legal_ad.pdf


The complete ZBA agenda can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/07-18-2019_agenda.pdf

Zoning Board of Appeals - July 18, 2019 - Agenda